The program emphasizes the most up-to-date technologies, sustainability, and energy efficiency in residential and commercial projects. Construction Technology students will gain experience with the tools, materials, methods, and standard practices of the trade, plus planning, designing, estimating, and blueprint reading.

Jonathan Powell is the lead instructor in Construction Technology. He brings over 15 years of experience in residential, commercial, and industrial construction trades to his faculty role at MSC Southeast. "In today's tight employment market, contractors are under so much pressure they don't have the time or resources to train in new employees on the job," he said. "A technical college program like ours can bring students up to speed before they start work."

MSC Southeast is partnering with Habitat for Humanity Winona-Fillmore Counties and the City of Winona to help address the need for entry level, affordable homes. This will involve construction of one or two houses per year and helping renovate many others. In doing these projects students can learn all aspects of building a house in a smaller scale.

In fact, if the weather is too rough to work outside, students can tackle building a tiny house right inside of the Construction Lab at MSC Southeast!

A grant from Clean Energy Resource Teams will help the college integrate environmentally friendly building techniques into the new curriculum. Funded by the grant, the college will work with Building Performance Institute (BPI) Air Leakage Control (ALC) to include installer training in its curriculum. Local contractors will also receive ALC training through the grant.

"This program will help build out Winona's workforce housing market as well as help mitigate the ongoing shortage of tradesmen and tradeswomen," according to Travis Thul, MSC Southeast Dean of Trade and Technology. "We are here to train tomorrow's trades professionals on state-of-the-art building techniques."

Jonathan Powell emphasized that construction is not just a job -- it's a profession. "Most students have no idea how much money they can make and how quickly they can move up in their careers. As educators, we need to keep our programs new and fresh, keep up with evolving technology and trends, and get students engaged in construction programs like ours," he said.

Minnesota State College Southeast is an affirmative action/equal opportunity educator and employer. ADA accessible. MSC Southeast is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment and education opportunity. No person shall be discriminated against in the terms and conditions of employment, personnel practices, or access to and participation in, programs, services, and activities with regard to race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, or sexual orientation. In addition, discrimination in employment base on membership or activity in a local commission as defined by law is prohibited.

Minnesota State College SoutheastA member of Minnesota State

Minnesota State College SoutheastA member of Minnesota State

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